New Portsmouth parking director tackling all puzzle pieces

By Charles McMahon

cmcmahon@seacoastonline.com

February 25, 2013 - 2:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH — With an extensive background in engineering, not to mention 26 years of experience in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mark Nelson said he is hoping to bring a fresh perspective as the city's new parking and transportation director.

Nelson, who took over the position in early February, fills a void in the city's parking division left behind by then-director Jon Frederick's departure nearly eight months ago.

Nelson said he's looking forward to getting immersed in the city's philosophy for both parking and transportation.

"I've been trying to absorb the history of why we are where we are in terms of parking policies and programs we have," he said.

Nelson said he's aware of how well Frederick did his job, and he hopes to fill those shoes and then some.

"He certainly was on top of things, and I want to be as on top of things as he was," he said.

In his most recent job as deputy commissioner for the Division of Capital Asset Management for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Nelson said he was charged with improving the maintenance of state buildings.

With a master's degree in civil engineering, Nelson said that position fit him almost perfectly.

But after being replaced in that position as a result of a change in leadership, Nelson said he was forced to look elsewhere for a new job.

Eventually that search led to Portsmouth, where Nelson said he was accustomed to visiting for dinner or for various shows.

"I thought it was a nice town, that seems like it's really well-run," he said of his first impressions of Portsmouth.

After applying for and getting the job, Nelson said he immediately dove into the many issues facing the city. Nelson said he's still in the process of developing his own philosophy on parking, however.

He said he knows that the growing downtown and the need for more parking and better transportation opportunities go hand in hand.

"There's a lot of development downtown and there will certainly be a parking loss as a result of that development," he said.

Nelson said he's aware of the fact that the idea to build another parking garage is a "hot-button issue."

Nelson said his background in construction management may also be a major benefit if the city decides to build a parking garage.

While working for the Commonwealth, Nelson said he also was in charge of running the energy team for the state. The position involved finding energy efficiencies throughout state agencies, he said.

Nelson said he hopes to utilize that experience while working for Portsmouth.

"That might come in handy if we decide to move forward on some energy projects," he said.

The goal, according to Nelson, is to ensure that parking is available and affordable, but also that the city's lack of parking doesn't deter someone from coming into the downtown.

While parking is important, Nelson said, he knows there's much more to the puzzle. He said he hopes to work with community development officials to tackle topics ranging from the need for a shuttle bus in the downtown, to creating a way for the city to promote a bike-share program.